It really is not a good idea to go on and off anti-depressants. At least that's what I've learned from my doctors over the years, and I've experienced it myself. For one thing, they lose their effectiveness, and also, you have to remember that these are serious brain meds, and you don't want to mess around with them. I've had a lot of personal experience in the area of depression and have spent several years over the last 14 years on various anti-depressants. I nearly seriously screwed myself up by listening to my primary care physician by going on and off an anti-depressant over the years. And then at one point my gynecologist started me on something new and that nearly did me in. This is serious stuff -- not to be messed around with. And yet far too many doctors are prescribing anti-depressants like crazy as the cure-all.
I strongly believe that the MOST important thing to keep in mind is that you want to go to the RIGHT doctor -- I do not agree that you can go to just any doctor for this type of medication. You absolutely don't want to go to your gynecologist or primary care physician when you start on an anti-depressant. It really is better to see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. A doctor who knows the brain and the impact the various anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds will have on your brain as well as the many side effects that may impact your life. I mean, you wouldn't go to a heart doctor to get lung medication, right?? It's also a good idea to see a psychologist as well, and one who can work in conjunction with your psychiatrist. Talk therapy is essential -- it's half of the total therapy, and meds are the other half. It's less effective to go with one and not the other.
If you need help finding a good psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner and/or psychologist, please let us know here at EmpowHer and we'll help you find someone.
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It really is not a good idea to go on and off anti-depressants. At least that's what I've learned from my doctors over the years, and I've experienced it myself. For one thing, they lose their effectiveness, and also, you have to remember that these are serious brain meds, and you don't want to mess around with them. I've had a lot of personal experience in the area of depression and have spent several years over the last 14 years on various anti-depressants. I nearly seriously screwed myself up by listening to my primary care physician by going on and off an anti-depressant over the years. And then at one point my gynecologist started me on something new and that nearly did me in. This is serious stuff -- not to be messed around with. And yet far too many doctors are prescribing anti-depressants like crazy as the cure-all.
I strongly believe that the MOST important thing to keep in mind is that you want to go to the RIGHT doctor -- I do not agree that you can go to just any doctor for this type of medication. You absolutely don't want to go to your gynecologist or primary care physician when you start on an anti-depressant. It really is better to see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. A doctor who knows the brain and the impact the various anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds will have on your brain as well as the many side effects that may impact your life. I mean, you wouldn't go to a heart doctor to get lung medication, right?? It's also a good idea to see a psychologist as well, and one who can work in conjunction with your psychiatrist. Talk therapy is essential -- it's half of the total therapy, and meds are the other half. It's less effective to go with one and not the other.
If you need help finding a good psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner and/or psychologist, please let us know here at EmpowHer and we'll help you find someone.
February 9, 2009 - 8:47pmThis Comment
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